Towards the end of 2024 we were approached concerning a possible new partnership in Sierra Leone. In 1920 a coal miner from Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire had gone as a missionary to Sierra Leone. He was soon joined by others and the United Pentecostal Mission, later to become the Marantha Pentecostal Mission (MPM) formed. MPM flourished and grew, with an emphasis on establishing churches, schools, a farm and a clinic. There was a particularly strong link with Pentecostal churches in Central Scotland.
In 1991 tragedy struck Sierra Leone as a brutal civil war lasting 10 years devastated the country. The missionaries were forced to return home, the mission members in Sierra Leone fled for their lives, the mission was utterly looted and the church leaders dispersed. By the time the war finished the mission was devastated. It took several years for the MPM churches to begin functioning again and then years more to bring together a functioning leadership which was handed control of the mission by the Scottish mission board. By then the lines of communication and support were difficult to re-establish and for many years contact was lost.
But then God brought together a series of ‘God-incidences’ when a supporter of Comfort International, William Curle, whose four children had gone on Comfort International school visits to Rwanda and who, himself, had spent many years as a member of one of the original MPM supporting churches was connected to Sierra Leone through his business. On a business visit to the country William sought out MPM and eventually managed to connect and spend a day visiting the church at Makump where the mission of 18 churches and 17 schools is based.
It was on his return home that William approached Comfort International to consider engaging in Sierra Leone and enabling the work of MPM. He also approached previously involved churches and found them encouragingly interested in those developments.
Comfort International director, Callum Henderson, and William have just returned from a more in-depth visit and assessment of the situation. This proved very positive, with MPM very eager for partnership to be re-established. William and Callum met the leadership team, visited schools and churches and saw first-hand the challenges facing MPM and the people of Sierra Leone. They were also encouraged by the warm welcome, the commitment to integrity and transparency, and their passion, especially, for educating the children, and bringing the grace and love of God’s Kingdom to their communities.
We are delighted that the trustees of Comfort International have agreed to go ahead with the partnership. We are blessed that churches and individuals have already begun to provide support for the work in Sierra Leone and this is especially helpful in ensuring that present Comfort International projects can continue alongside new support for Sierra Leone. The present focus is to identify priorities, plan the way ahead, share with individuals and churches with a heart for the MPM work and trust that God will place His favour and blessing on this re-establishing of a precious relationship and the vital work of MPM in Sierra Leone.
